Iranian Americans Gather to Support the Reelection of Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney

Iranian Americans Gather to Support the Reelection of Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney

New York, New York - On February 29th, friends of IAPAC assembled at the home of IAPAC Trustee Cyrus Amir-Mokri to support the reelection of New York Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-14th).

Congresswoman Maloney serves on the House Financial Services Committee, the Government Reform Committee, and is the ranking House Democrat on the Joint Economic Committee. Congresswoman Maloney is a cosponsor of House Resolution 476, which condemns discrimination and bigotry against Iranian Americans. The resolution recognizes the diversity of the Iranian American community along with its social and economic contributions to American society. It demands that local and federal law enforcement officials investigate and vigorously prosecute "...crimes committed against all Americans, including Iranian Americans, that are based on actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, or ethnicity."

Congresswoman Maloney spoke after introductory comments by Cyrus Amir-Mokri. She discussed her role as the co-founder of the House 9/11 Commission Caucus, as a part of which she helped author and pass legislation to implement the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations for improving intelligence gathering. She also addressed her successful effort, after the Dubai Ports controversy, to pass legislation to reform the system for vetting foreign investment in the United States.

Congresswoman Maloney also praised the Iranian American community, both for its notable prosperity and its concerted engagement with political affairs in the United States. She highlighted the important role of groups such as IAPAC in developing an influential voice on Capitol Hill.

After speaking, Congresswoman Maloney fielded questions from the guests on various issues. Among the topics discussed was the congresswoman’s support for the DREAM Act, which would provide high school students who are undocumented immigrants and who wish to attend college or serve in the armed forces with eligibility for legal status. In response to a question regarding the acquisition of visas for ill Iranian children seeking urgent medical care in the U.S., Congresswoman Maloney emphasized the important role that representatives play in obtaining immigration relief for their constituents and their loved ones, and she related her own successful efforts to that end.